Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-07-22

elany; reliable commercial repo.-
a. G. TINsLEY.
A. s. MORTON.
FRIDAY MORNING. JULY. %. 1887
THE AUGUST CONVENTION.
The Democratic State Convention at
Roanoke next month will meet under cir
cumstances that make it almost certain
that the election which follows will be a
victory for the Democracy. The first ''cir-
cumstauce" is Malone. Itseems impossible
for our Republican friends to suppress
him, and finding themselves powerless,
they give in with an alacrity which is
amusing as we'll as touching. Only few
days ago our esteemed contemporary, the
VarQinian, not desiring to be left, an
nounced that the Republican party would
hold no State convention. This submits
sion was in line with the interview of
the alexandria Gazette's Washington cor
respondent with prominent Virginia
Republican," who, as reported, talked
such practical, longheaded politics, that
we suspect him to be the Hon. S. Brown
Allen. He said, shut what's the use of
talking about it; Malone is Chairman and
isn't going to be foolish enough to call a
State convention to let these young Re-
publican opponents get at him." or words
to that effect. No; there will be no Re
publican State Convention, and ''the old
man of the sea" will not be shifted from
the shoulders Of the Republican party.
And so we will have it-Mahone, Chair
man Of the State Republican Central
Committee; Malone, running the Novem.
Der campaign; Malone, for U. S. Senator
the issue of that campaign, and the legis-
lature elected, if Republican, to send the
Boss back to the Senate. That is the real
campaign for November next.
The second circumstance" is the gen.
eral condition of the Republican party In
the State. In the last congressional cleo
tion 1t captured over half of the represen-
tatives. These Representatives have been
''in power'' since the 18th of March last.
There being a Democratic administration
at Che helm, they are without influence, in
the sense that means Individual recogni-
tion for their constituencies happy situa-
ton for the peace of mind of the represen
tative, but not helpful to the party. There
1s always sentiment on the part of the
heelers that they would like to be in line
with something that would be of practical
benefit to them. By November these Vir-
ginia Republican representatives will have
been ten months in the promised land;
but nota bunch of grapes sent to the expect
ant patriots on this side, ald nothing else
except perhaps political document and
some flower seeds, rather dry eating for
heller.
Another Circumstance" the name of
Malone. Without endorsing much of the
abuse that has been lavished on General
Malone, we yet cannot be blind to the
fact that personally he is obnoxious to the
people Of Virglnia-almost his very name
has become so. If he were to die to-mor-
row the Democratic chances for next No
vember would be greatly lessened. 1t
is conceded everywhere that he is a
damage to his own party, and has so
proved, for in the elections last November
in which he took no part-the Republi-
cans won. At the head of the Republican
organization this fall, and the main issue,
his election to the U. S. Senate, there will
be li.tle difficulty In bringing out the
Democratic vote. and that is all that is
needed. for Virginia is Democratic on a
square issue. Malone as leader is most
fortunate circumstance" for the Democ-
racy.
Again; we do not expect so large color
cd vote cast against the Democratic nomi-
nees as there has been in the past. The
course of the representative of the Demo
cratic party elected co the Governors
place, towards the colored citizens, must
have convinced them that there is no ami
mostly to their race in Democratic Gov.
ernor. Fitz Lees course towards the
Virginia colored troops. his standing by
them in defiance of the opinion expressed
in other quarters of the South; the inter
est he has shown in their education and all
that in the eyes OF the State, concerns the
colored people, has, we think, given an i'm
petus towards a more kindly feeling be
tween the two races which will make itself
felt at the ballot box.
Here are good many ecircu instances"
for Democratic confidence in November's
result. With such showing it would be
a great pity if there be found in the
August assemblage anybody to kick all this
fat into the fire. The great and only danger
to the Democracy in August is the dispo-
sition, so common TO men, to get in some
OF their own work. Now we suppose
there are good many Democrats in Vir-
ginia who already have in their pockets
platforms and plans. If you have, take
them out and burn them. The re-affirm-
ing Of the Riddleberger bill, the endorse
ment of the legislative committee who
conferred with the English bondholders,
and the reelection of John s. Barbour,
Chairman of the State Committee-is all
that ought to be done, and it can be done
in less than one hundred words. Try for
this time, with success staring you in the
face, not to make any mistakes. DON'T
think it necessary to draw up heavy reso-
buttons or put out long platforms. One
Hundred Words, and John s. barbour at
the head of the campaign will do the bust
ness and insure Democratic legislature
by good working majority.
The usual hot weather of August is 60